June 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 36
Annual deer, elk migrations requires extra driver attention
With deer and elk on the
move to their summer feeding grounds including in and
around Sunriver more wildlife
will soon be crossing roads
around the state.
The Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon
Department of Fish & Wildlife
(ODFW) urge motorists to be
on alert and be ready to slow
down, especially around sunrise
and sunset when animals are
more active.
During peak migration periods in the spring and fall,
the Oregon Department of
Transportation will have signs
placed in particularly active
wildlife crossing areas to alert
drivers. Wildlife undercrossings
are another way to save animal
and human lives. Two wildlife
safe passages under Highway
97 near Sunriver are alleviating deer versus vehicle issues
(visit https://youtu.be/3V0VX
2skvFA to view a video about
the wildlife undercrossings
near Sunriver).
According to statistics from
ODOT's Crash Analysis &
Reporting Section, there are
about 1,250 wildlife-involved
traffic collisions each year in
Oregon. In 2014, there were
1,243 reported crashes involving wildlife, resulting in two
people being killed. In 2013,
there were 1,274 such crashes with three fatalities, and
in 2012, 1,283 crashes with
three fatalities.
Officials believe the numbers
are actually higher because most
collisions involving wildlife result in property damage only to
the involved vehicle and do not
get reported to police or DMV.
For example, ODOT’s southern Oregon dispatch center
received 2,591 calls about dead
animals on or near roads in
2014. The central Oregon
dispatch center received another 2,591 calls. Combined
with ODOT’s other dispatch
centers, in 2014, there were
6,629 calls reporting wildlife
incidents/animals near roads,
compared to the 1,243 that
were reported as crashes. In
2013, the number of calls statewide was 5,842.
Klamath, Lane and Jackson
counties had the highest number of reported vehicle-wildlife
Mule deer are notorious for crossing streets without looking. Be
on the lookout for them.
crashes in 2014 (112, 89 and
82 respectively), followed by
Clackamas County with 71
and Deschutes with 70. The
statistics prove that crashes can
and do occur everywhere in
the state, including rural and
urban settings.
Driving tips
During this season, ODOT
and ODFW urge drivers to be
aware of the possible dangers
associated with animals on or
near highways. Extra vigilance
is required. The following information may help reduce
these incidents.
• Look for road signs. The
yellow diamond signs with
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JUNE 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
the deer image are placed in
high-traffic areas for deer.
• Remember that the presence of any type of animal
could also mean that others
are nearby. Deer are pack animals, and rarely travel alone.
Keep an eye out for others who
may attempt to dart across
the road.
• When you see an animal
near or on the roadway, reduce
your speed and try to stay in
your lane. Many serious crashes
are the result of drivers swerving
to avoid wildlife or other obstacles and they crash into another
vehicle or lose control of their
own vehicle.
• Honk. Some experts recommend that one long blast of the
horn will scare deer out of the
road. Do not rely on hood whistles or other devices designed
to scare off deer. Studies have
shown them to be largely ineffective at minimizing accidents.
• The same advice applies for
smaller wildlife like porcupine
or raccoons. Try to stay in your
lane and do not swerve for these
animals. They are less dangerous to vehicles than big game
animals. Losing control of your
vehicle is a larger concern.
• Deer and elk are on the
move in the spring due to annual migration from lower elevation winter habitats to higher
elevation summer habitats.
• During the fall migration to
winter ranges, there are fewer
daylight hours, and visibility
will be challenged by darkness
and winter weather conditions.
You may spot a deer because
their eyes will brightly reflect a
car’s headlights, making them
easier to see.
• The fall and winter deer
rut season typically lasts from
late October and January, increasing deer activity in and
around roadways.
• Be extra careful in areas
where there is a lot of vegetation
next to the road or while going
around curves. Wildlife near the
road may not be visible.
• Always wear your safety belt, as even the slightest collision could result in
serious injuries.
–Source: Oregon Department
of Transportation
